Suction cleaning system and method



Nov. Z1, 1967 1 c. HAMRICK SUCTION CLEANING SYSTEM AND METHOD 4vSheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 24, 1965 INVENTOR.' JAM E5 C. HAMPJQA mfwlgQ/J,

ATTORNEYS Nov. 21, T967 L c. HAMRICK SUCTION CLEANING SYS-TEM AND METHODFiled May 24, 1965 4 Sheets-Shes t 2 www v 4 INVENTOR: JAMES C. HAMEICKATTORNEYS Nov. 2l, 1967 J. c. HAMRlcK 3,353,996

SUCTION CLEANING SYSTEM AND METHOD Filed May 24, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 5ATTORNEYS Nov. 2l, 1967 J. c. HAMRICK 3,353,996

SUCTION CLEANING SYSTEM AND METHOD Filed May 24, 1965 4 sheets-sheet 4INVENTOR:

15'*- I Y JAMEs C1. HAMwcK E l 25T-ZZ ATTORNEYS lUnited States Patent3,353,996 SUCTION CLEANING SYSTEM AND METHOD James C. Hamrick, Matthews,N.C., assigner to .let Line Products, Inc., Matthews, N.C a corporationof North Carolina Filed May 24, 1965, Ser. No. 458,178 20 Claims. (Cl.134-21) ABSTRACT 0F THE DISCLOSURE A suction cleaning system and methodof operation wherein the system has a conduit communicatively connectedto a source of suction, with an elongate pliable hose normally storedwithin the conduit, and arranged to have any desired length thereofwithdrawn from the conduit for reaching the area to be cleaned, andwherein upon completion of the cleaning operation the withdrawn lengthof hose is retracted into the conduit for storage under the impetus ofthe suction from the source by restricting the flow of the suctioncurrent from the hose into the conduit by manipulation of a valvepositioned adjacent the extended end of the hose.

This invention relates to centralized suction or vacuum cleaning systemsand more especially to a new and novel method of and apparatus forstoring andY manipulating suction cleaning tube or hose. Y p v i Atypical prior art centralized suction cleaningsystvern has severaloutlets at spaced locations in the walls or floors of a building fromwhich permanently installed stationary conduits extend to a commonsuction and iiltering device so one end of a flexible tube usually aboutthirty feet long may be detachably connected to selected outlets =as itsother end, or a suction cleaner attachment thereon, may be manipulatedto suck dirt, lint and other foreign particles or objects ofr surfacesto be cleaned.

Further, prior art patents disclose a suction hose ytelescopic-allymounted within a stationary conduit for ease in storage of the hose whennot being used. However, these systems necessitate manual manipulationof the hose to move the same to retracted position within the conduit orreliance on suction forces lapplied to a seal carried by the inner endof the hose and engaging the conduit and serving as a piston.

However, this piston arrangement is only effective when used with shortlengths of hose, otherwise the frictional engagement of long lengths ofhose against the oor surface is too great to be overcome by the suctionforces.

AFurther, this piston arrangement to be practical with short lengths ofhose necessitates the use of hose latching means to ,latch the hose inextended position to otfset the suction pulling forces on the hose whichwould otherwise interfere with the manipulation thereof during cleanlng.

With the foregoing in mind, it is the primary object of this inventionto provide a suction cleaning system and method in which a suction hoseof the desired length is normally stored within a stationary conduit andwhich may be partially or fully extended .and wherein the hose may be socontrolled to partially or fully retract the same Within the conduit bycontrolling at the hose the elTectiveness of existing suction force inthe conduit acting on the hose.

Generally, in its preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the presentinvention comprises at least one stationary suction conduit extendingfrom a suction device to an outlet box mounted in the floor or Wall of4a building with a pliable suction cleaning tube telescopically mountedin the suction conduit so the desired length of the suction tube may bemanually withdrawn to perform the desired cleaning. Means are providedfor automatically reducing the inward pulling force exerted on the tubeby the suction device whenever the suction tube is being withdrawnwithout interrupting operation of the suction device and, althoughsuction in the conduit is normally sufficient to retract short lengthsof the withdrawn suc- Ition tube into the conduit, means are providedadjacent the working end of the conduit, and readily accessible to theoperator, for selectively restricting the flow of uid from the suctiontube into the conduit sufficiently to retract any desired length of thetube Eat the desired speed, thus obviating the necessity of excessportions of the tube laying on the floor where they would be in the wayof the operator and might cause the operator to trip over the same andcould result in injury to the operator. Further, by retracting excessportions of the suction tube While it is in use, coiling and kinking ofthe suction tube, with consequent reduction in eciency, is avoided.

Some ofthe objects of the invention having been stated, other objectswill appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of a representative installation of thesuction cleaning system vof the present invention in a typical building;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view showing how the operating end of thepliable suction hose may be used at different locations and at variousdistances from an outlet r'box in the wall of a room whilev having onlyso much of the hose extended from the outlet box as is needed to performthe particular cleaning operation;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through a portion of abuilding wall or room partition sho-wing one form of outlet box with astorage suction conduit connected thereto and Withinwhich acorresponding pliable suction hosefis shown in fully retracted or storedposition;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary elevation looking at the left-hand side of theupper portion of FIGURE 3 with the corresponding door of the outlet -boxoccupying open position;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail showing the working end ofthe suction hose provided with a preferred form of valve means thereonfor selectively restricting the flow of fluid into the suction hose foreffecting retraction of the hose at the will of the operator;

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 showingan en d of the storageconduit remote from the outlet box lconnected to a suction device andalso showing vthe suction hose fully extended outwardly from one side ofthe outlet box in solid lines and showing the same in phantom linesprojecting outwardly from Vthe other side of the outlet box;

FIGURE 7 is lan enlarged fragmentary sectional plan View takensubstantially along =line 7-7 in FIGURE 4 with both of the doors to t-hecorresponding outlet box l being shown in closed position;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the suction hose guidingdevice shown in the left-hand portion `of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to the upper portion ofFIGURE 6, but showing another form of outlet box and :also showing adilerent :type of 1Ilston or seal arrangement on the inner end of thesuction i ose;

FIGURE 10 is an elevation looking at the left-hand side of the outletbox in FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 1l is a fragmentary sectional plan view .taken substantially-along line 11--11 in FIGURE l0; v

FIGURE l2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the pistonarrangement of FIGURE 9 but showing the same inadilerent portion of thesuction conduitfrom ternal diameter ofA suction tube 42.

that shown in FIGURE 9 and with its two annular members spaced apart;and

FIGURE 13 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 13-13 inFIGURE 12 and showing further details of the piston arrangement.

Referring more specically to the drawings, a typical installation of thesuction cleaning system of the present invention is shown in associationwith a residential buildlng and wherein a plurality of stationarysuction conduits 21, 22, 23 extend from a common suction devicegenerally designated at 25. Suction device 25l is preferably positionedexteriorly of the building, and conduits 21, 22 and 23 may extendbeneath the iloor or over the ceiling of the building, as desired. Inthis instance, suction conduits 21, 22, 23 are shown extending beneaththe oor of the building and then upwardly to respective outlet boxes26-28. Outlet box 26 is shown positioned within a partition. 30, outletbox 27 is shown positioned in the iloor of thebuilding and outlet box 28is shown within an outside wall 31 of the building, by way of exampleonly.

That portion ofthe suction cleaning system associated with4 outlet box26 and partition 30 of FIGURE 1, for example, is shown in detail inFIGURES 3-8 wherein it is shown in the form of a substantiallyrectangular tubular housing having top and bottom walls 34, 35 andopposed side walls 36, 37 which t in a suitable opening formed inpartition 30 and are provided` with flanges 40 which vstraddle partition30 and are suitably secured thereto.

Outlet box 26 may be closed at oppositev open sides thereof by suitable`doors32, 33 hingedly or otherwise mounted on corresponding ilanges 4.0.

The. outlet or open mouth. end- 41 of conduit 21 extends through and issuitably secured to bottom wall 35 of outlet box 26 and has anextensible and retractable flexible suction tubegor hose 42 therein andextending longitudinally thereof. Hose 42 is preferably of well-knowntype having a. smooth, rather. than corrugated, outer peripheralsurface.

The outer or working end of. suction hose 42, when fully retracted,projects outwardly from the outlet end 41 of suction conduit 21 and hasan enlarged tubular tting 44 mounted thereon whose inner portion may beof greater dimension or diameter than the outlet end of conduit 21 sothat it may rest upon the outlet end of conduit 21 when suction hosel 42is fullypretracted, as shown in FIG- URE 3. While hose 42 is fullyretracted, tubular tting 44 may be closed by a removable cap 45. When inuse, conventional vacuum cleaning implements may be inserted in fitting.44. A floor sweeper S, representative of such implements, is shownconnected to the hose 42 in solid lines in FIGURES 1 and 2.

Tubular tting 44- is shown in, FIGURES 3, 4l and 5 in the form of avalve housing` having a transverse cylindrically or ball shaped valvemember 47 mounted for angular movement therein and which is providedwith a diametrically extending passageway 50 therethrough whose diameteris preferably about the same as the in- Passageway 50 is axially alignedwith suction hose 42 at least while the suction tube is in use. Valvemember 47 serves as a manually operable means for partially or entirelyrestricting the ow of fluid or air into suction hose 42 and thus topartially or fully restrict the flow of iluid from the inner end of thehose 42 into conduit 21 so as to render existing suction in conduit 21effective to retract suction hose 42.

Therefore, tubular fitting 44 has a longitudinally extending slot 52 inone side thereof through which a control pin 53 loosely extends andwhich pin is suitably secured to or formed integral with a medialportion of valve member 47. When pin 53 occupies the position of FIG-URE against one end of slot 52, valve member 47 occupies. fully openposition and, when an operator moves pin 53 t`o the broken line positionof FIGURE 5, valve member 4.7 then occupies fully closed position.

It will be noted that the valve assembly thus formed by fitting 44serves as a means adjacent the free end of suction hose 42 and withineasy reach of the operator for controlling the tiow of uid into suctionhose 42. As -a further convenience to the operator to restrict the flowof air into suction hose 42, the suction hose 42 may have a shortsection 54 of easily compressible material interposed therein adjacentthe Working end of suction tube 42. Thus, to restrict air flow throughsuction hose 42, the operator may squeeze and thereby partially or fullyconstrict the compressible section 54 and/ or the valve member 47 may bepartially or fully closed.

In order that suction hose 42 may be up to thirty feet or more in lengthand may be fully retracted solely by the impetus of the existing suctionin conduit 21 eifected by suction device 25, the inner end of suctionhose 42 may be provided with an enlarged portion, piston or seal 6l)thereon which may be mounted for sliding engagement with the innersurface of conduit 21. However, it has been determined that anenlargement or piston on the inner end of hose 42 is not required insome installations, particularly wherein the outside diameter of hose 42is only slightly less than the inner diameter of suction conduit 21.

Suction device 25 may include a suction tank or collection box 62 havinga filter 63 in its upper portion above which a suction fan or airimpeller 65 is positioned, the impeller being driven by an electricmotor 66. The energization and deenergization of motor 66 may beeffected at outlet box 26 or at any of the outlet boxes of the centralcleaning system such as by means of switches 70 arranged in parallel inan electrical circuit to motor 66 and controlled by push-buttons 71accessible from either side of partition 30 (FIGURES 3 and 4). As shownin FIGURES 3, 4 and 6, push-buttons 71 may be normally biased outwardlythrough the upper anges 40, by suitable springs 72, so as to be engagedand depressed by doors 32, 33 as they are closed to operate switches 70and stop motor 66. Any suitable catch, latch means, or spring means 73may be provided for releasably holding the doors in closed position whensuction hose 42 is not in use. Switches 70 may be of any suitable typewhich will energize motor 66 when. either door 32, 33 is opened and willdeenergize motor 66 when both doors 32, 33 are closed.

At all times during which suction device 25 is operating at its normalefficiency, the inner end of suction hose 42, as represented by piston60, is subject to the pulling force of the suction thus elfected inconduit 21. Thus, in order to facilitate ease in withdrawing suctionhose 42 from the outlet end 41 of conduit 21, means are provided foi`interrupting or reducing the suction in conduit 21 during suchwithdrawal of suction tube 42 therefrom, one embodiment of such meansbeing shown in FIG- URES 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8. The suction relieving meansis shown in these gures in the form of an inverted substantiallyU-shaped suction tube guide or bracket 75 including opposite sideportions or legs 76 which normally straddle the upper portion of valveassembly 44 when suction hose 42 is in stored position Within conduit21.

The lower ends of legs 76 are. pivotally connected to opposed side walls36, 37. To this end, each leg 76 is lixed to and projects upwardly froma collar 77 journaled on the corresponding side wall of outlet box 2-6,as at 80 (FIGURE 8). The distal surfaces of collars 77 may frictionallyengage the proximal surfaces of side Walls 36, 37 to assist in normallymaintaining the legs of the suction tube guide 75 in upright position,as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, when the suction hose 42 is completelystored in conduit 21. The upper or free ends of legs 76 areinterconnected by a bridging portion 82 whose opposed ends haverespective pairs of outwardly diverging arms 83, 84 and 85, 86 thereon.Bridging portion 82 and arms 83-86 have respective concave rollers 92-96journaled thereon.

When the operator is about to partially or fully withdraw suction hose42 from conduit 21, the upper end of the suction tube guide or bracket75 is swung downwardly and outwardly to occupy substantially the solidline or the dotted line position shown in FIGURE 6, depending upon whichside of the partition 30 the suction hose is to be used. When thesuction tube guide is swung outwardly to the solid line position shownin FIGURE 6, its legs 76 rest against respective yieldable abutments orstops 100 carried by side walls 36, 37 of outlet box 26. Yieldableabutments or stops 101 are also carried by side walls 36, 37 forsupporting legs 76 of suction tube guide 75 when it occupies the brokenline or dotted line position shown in FIGURE 6 in the event that thesuction tube is to be withdrawn from the right-hand side of outlet box26 instead of the left-hand side thereof (FIG- URES 3 and 6). Eachabutment 100, 101 is shown in the form of a disk or plug mounted on theupper end of a compression spring 102 whose lower end is suitablyconnected to a small bracket 103 projecting from the corresponding sidewall of outlet box 26.

It is apparent that, when suction hose 42 is being withdrawn fromsuction conduit 21 by an operator, hose 42 is guided upon central roller92 and between the corresponding pair of side rollers 93, 95 or 94, 96,depending upon the side of the outlet box from which the hose is beingWithdrawn. In order to reduce or stop the suction in the conduit 21during such periods as an operator is actually withdrawing suction hose42 from conduit 21, each collar 77, on the lower ends of the tube guidelegs 76, has a switch actuator or cam portion 106 thereon which isadapted to engage and close a corresponding normally open switch 107whenever the pulling force applied to the suction tube by an operator issuticient to effect withdrawal of a portion of the suction hose fromconduit 21. The strength of corresponding compression springs 102 issuch that they will permit suction tube guide 75 to move downwardlysufliciently to cause the corresponding switch actuator 106 to open thecorresponding switch 107 only when an outwardly pulling force is beingapplied to hose 42. Otherwise, both switch actuators 106 will bemaintained out of engagement with the corresponding switches 107 eventhough suction hose 42 may be resting on the roller 92.

It should be noted that the switch actuator 106 on that collar 77adjacent side wall 36 will operate the corresponding switch 107therebeneath only when the suction tube guide 75 projects outwardly tothe lett from outlet box 26, as shown in solid lines in FIGURE 6. Theswitch actuator 106 on the other of the collars 77 is so positioned asto operate the other of the switches 107 when excess downward pressureis applied to the suction tube guide 75 when it occupies substantiallythe broken line position shown in FIGURE 6.

Switches 107 are arranged in parallel in an electrical circuit to anelectrically operated suction release valve 110 which normally closes anopening 111 in collection box 62. In this instance, suction releasevalve 110 is shown connected to the plunger of a solenoid 112 (FIG- URE6) fixed by a bracket 113 to the exterior of tank 62. It is apparentthat, upon either of the switches 107 being closed by a pulling forcebeing applied to suction hose or tube 42 being pulled in engagement withthe roller 92, solenoid 112 will be energized to open valve 110 andpermit air from outside tank 62 to enter the same so as to reduce orsubstantially eliminate suction in suction conduit 21. When the operatorrelaxes the pulling force on suction hose 42, corresponding abutments101 elevate the suction tube guide 75 sutliciently to open thecorresponding switch 107 so that suction again becomes etfective inconduit 21 and suction hose 42.

The amount of suction generally required in a suction cleaning system inorder to clean effectively, and such as is produced by suction device25, applies a small inward pulling force to suction hose 42 and itspiston 60 Vsuch that the hose may tend to creep into conduit 21 when theflow of air into and through suction hose 42 is unrestricted, althoughsuch light or small pulling force is insucient to electively and quicklyretract short sections of suction hose 42, and is completely ineffectiveto retract the hose in instances where a substantial portion or lengthof hose 42 may be resting upon the iloor, as shown in solid lines inFIGURE 2 and in the dotted line alternative positions 42a, 42h, 42C inFIGURE 2. However, since any inward pulling force on suction hose 42 maybe objectionable when hose 42 is substantially completely withdrawn, theoutlet end 41 of conduit 21 may he tapered slightly along its length, asat 21a, so as to frictionally secure suction hose 42 in substantiallyfully extended position. Tapered portion 21a may be formed separatelyfrom and may be attached to conduit 21, if desired, to facilitateinstallation of the suction cleaning system.

It is apparent -that the operator has occasions while manipulating theworking en-d of the suction hose 42 to do so at various distances fromthe outlet box 26, as shown in FIGURE 2. Heretofore, in order to operatesuction hoses conected to outlet boxes of prior art types of centralsuction cleaning systems, the entire length of the hose necessarily hasbeen fully extended from the corresponding outlet box, with the resultthat, when the operator was working relatively close to the outlet boxof the prior art apparatus, a considerable and excessive length of thesuction hose would be resting upon the floor in the form of coils ordisarranged configurations which would not only cause the hose to becomekiuked in some instances, but would also interfere with the efficientmanipulation of the working end of the hose by the operator or it mightbe tripped over by the operator and cause serious injury to theoperator.

However, since the valve assembly 44 is provided and located adjacentthe working end of the suction hose 42 so as to be conveniently operatedby the operator, whenever the operator is working a substantial distancefrom the receptacle 26 and moves closer and closer to the receptacle 26,the operator need only operate the valve member 47, by means of the pin53 thereon (FIGURE 5 to periodically restrict the How of air into thehose 42. Partial or full restriction of the lloW of air into the hose 42substantially increases the pulling force applied to the suction hose bythe existing suction in conduit 21 so that the hose 42 may be rapidlyand effectively retracted until such time as the operator returns valvemember 47 to the fully opened position. Of course, when hose 42 need beonly partially retracted the operator may simply constrict the easilydeformable tube section 54.

It is thus seen that I have provided a novel method of and apparatus forcleaning wherein the stationary suction conduit 21 is connected to thesuction source 25 and the hose 42 is positioned for longitudinalmovement within the conduit and also communicates with the suctionsource so that the desired length of hose may be withdrawn from the`conduit 21 for reaching the areas to be cleaned as a suction currentproduced by the suction source 25 is etfective at the working end of thehose for cleaning such area or areas, and wherein, upon completion ofcleaning, the flow of the suction current from the hose into the conduitmay be sufficiently restricted to effect retraction of the withdrawnlength of hose into the cond-uit under the impetus of the force ofsuction from the source 25.

In order to prevent flexible hose 42 from being retractedunintentionally into suction conduit 21 when an operator is utilizingthe nozzle end of hose 42 for cleaning surfaces, such as draperies,which may be sucked against and restrict the ow of air into hose 42, thenozzle end of hose 42 may be provided with a manually operable reliefvalve 115 which is shown in the form of a ring segment or substantiallyC-shaped member tting in an annular recess 116 formed in a rigid portionof hose 42 adjacent valve assembly 44. Valve 115 may be turned manuallyabout the axis of the nozzle end of hose 42 to partially or fully exposebetween opposed ends of valve 115 a suitable opening or slot 117extending through one side Vof said rigid portion of hose 42 whiledraperies or the like are being cleaned.

Thus, if the article being cleaned tends to be sucked against and closethe open nozzle end of hose 42 or an implement carried thereby, theoperator may open valve 115 to prevent the article from being suckedinto hose 42 and to prevent undue restriction of the ow of air into hose42 so as to prevent suction in conduit 21 from imparting an excessiveinward pulling or retracting force to hose 42.

Second embodiment In theconstruction heretofore described, suction hose42 and conduit 21 are arranged so that at least the innermost portion ofthe suction hose remains within the conduit at all times. Further, inthe structure heretofore de scribed, the effectiveness of the suction inthe conduit is reduced or eliminated by automatically opening valve 110(FIGURE 6) whenever an outward pulling force is applied to suction hose42. In FIGURES 9-13, a modified arrangement is shown in which thesuction tube may be entirely removed from the conduit for replacement orfor use at other outlet boxes and, in addition, the piston or seal onthe inner end of the suction hose is arranged so as to automaticallyren-der the suction existing in the conduit substantially inefective inresisting movement of the suction hose during its withdrawal from theconduit instead of opening a valve at the suction device per se. Forpurposes of brevity, those parts shown in FIGURES 9-13 which are similarto or identical to corresponding parts shown in FIGURES l-8 shall bearthe same reference characters with the prime notation added.

Outlet box 26', which is shown opening out to one side only of partition30', may open out to both sides of the partition 30 in the same manneras outlet box 26. Outlet box 26 comprises top, lbottom an-d opposed sidewalls 34'37' provided with anges 40' for securing outlet box 26 topartition 30. A door 32' is provided for closing the open side of outletbox 26' when it is not being used.

It should be noted that the outlet end 41 of conduit 21' is not taperedin the manner of suction conduit 21 so that, rupon releasing areleasable restraining means to be later described, suction hose or tube42' may be entirely removed and disconnected from suction conduit 21 andoutlet box 26'. The piston 60' shown mounted on the inner end of suctionhose 42 in FIGURES 9 and l2 is quite. diiferent from piston 6G ofFIGURES 3 and 6 in that piston 66' is of composite construction and mayserve not only as a seal between suction hose 42' and suction conduit21', but also serves to substantially reduce the pulling force orretracting force of the suction in conduit 21 during such times that theoperator is pulling and withdrawing suction hose 42' from conduit 21'.

To this end, composite piston 60 comprises a pair of relativelydisplaceable rings or annular members 12), 121, the annular member 12ubeing iixed on the inner end of suction hose 42' and serving as asuction release member, and the annular member 121 being mounted formovement relative to suction release member 120 and serving as a valve.

The inner diameter of annular valve 121 is preferably substantially thesame as that of suction tube 42'. The outer Adiameter of valve 121 ispreferably such that it will move in substantially sealing engagementwith the inner surface of suction conduit 21'. Preferably, but notnecessarily, the outer diameter of suction release member 120 isslightly less than that of valve 121 so that the two normally juxtaposedannnular members 120, 121 will separate automatically when an outwardpulling force is being applied to suction hose 42' by an operator.

Annular members 120, 121 of composite piston 60' are interconnected forrelative axial displacement by means of a plurality of circularly spacedguide rods or pins 123 which may be secured in annular member 120 andloosely penetrate annular member 121. In order to yieldably urge andnormally maintain valve 121 in sealing engagement with suction releasemember 120, the inner ends `of guide rods 123 project beyond the innersurface of valve 121 and head portions 124 thereon maintain compressionsprings 125 surrounding the inner ends of guide rods 123 in engagementwith the inner surface of valve 121. Thus, compression springs 125normally urge valve 121 into engagement with the inner end of suctionrelease member 1263. In so doing, valve 121 closes a plurality ofcircularly arranged ports or passageways 125 extending through, andsubstantially parallel -to the axis of, suction release member 120.

Whenever an operator applies an outward pulling force to and withdrawshose 42' from conduit 21', the frictional contact between valve 121 andconduit 21' overcomes the force of springs 124 so the suction releasemember 12) will be pulled away from valve 121 to the extent permitted bythe `compression springs 124 until the operator relaxes or discontinuesthe withdrawing pulling force on suction hose 42'. Since the outlet end41' of suction conduit 21' is substantially open at all times other thanthat in which piston 60 may be located at the outlet end 41' of suctionconduit 21', it follows that the movement of suction release member 120away from vlave 121 permits air to ow into the outlet end 41 of suctionconduit 21', and through the passageways 126 in suction release member120, thus reducing the effectiveness of the suction produced at thesource in acting upon the piston 60' and suction hose 42', so thesuction hose 42' may be easily withdrawn from suction conduit 21' by theoperator. When the operator has withdrawn the desired length of suctionhose 42' from suction conduit 21', the outward pulling force thusreleased from the suction hose 42 permits springs 125 to move valve 121into engagement with the inner end of suction release member 120 toclose passageways 126 so the suction source is fully effective in thesuction hose 42' during the subsequent cleaning operation.

When suction hose 42' is substantially fully withdrawn from suctionconduit 21', with the piston 60 positioned `at the outlet portion ofsuction conduit 21' as shown in FIGURE 9, the pulling force of thesuction acting upon the inner end of suction hose 42' and piston 60' maybe reduced by providing small perforations or air inlet openings 136 inand closely adjacent the outlet end of suction conduit 21' inwardly ofpiston 60'. These perforations 130 should be of such size as to reducethe eiectiveness of the suction in the conduit 21' sufficiently -only torender such suction ineffective in applying any objectionable inwardpulling force to hose 42 while still maintaining adequate suction tocarry out the desired clean ing function.

In order that the operator will not inadvertently withdraw the hose 42'with its composite piston 60' entirely out of the suction conduit 21',means are provided for releasably restraining the piston 60' from beingwithdrawn from the outlet end 41' of suction conduit 21'. Suchrestraining means comprises a latch member 132 (FIGURES 9 and l1)slidably mounted upon the bottom wall 35' of outlet box 26. Opposed sideedge portions of latch member 132 are guided and maintained inengagement with bottom Wall 35' by a pair -of spaced gibs 133 which maybe substantially L-shaped in cross-section and may be secured to bottomwall 35' of outlet box 26' by any suitable means, such as welding.

Latch member 132 is substantially U-shaped in plan and its inner portionremote from the open side of outlet box 26' may be engaged by acompression spring 134 which bears against the back wall 135 of outletbox 26' to normally urge the back portion of latch member 132 intoposition overlying the open upper end of suction conduit 21'. The twolegs of the substantially U-shaped latch member 132 is turned upwardly,as at 136, so they may be engaged and pushed inwardly by an operator 9.when the operator wishes to move the latch member 132 for releasing thepiston 60 from the open upper end 4i of the suction conduit 21.

The spring biased push-button 71' on the switch 70 in the embodiment ofFIGURES 9 and 10 is positioned so as to be engaged and depressed by thedoor 32 when it is moved to closed position. Switch 70 may be connectedto the suction source in the same manner :as switches 70 heretoforedescribed and thus renders the suction source inoperative whenever door32 is closed.

Although the composite piston 60 heretofore described reduces theeffectiveness of suction in suction conduit 21 acting upon the suctionhose 42 and the piston 60 when suction hose 42' is being withdrawn fromsuction conduit 2.1', additional means may be provided for reducing oreliminating suction in conduit 21 during withdrawal of substantiallengths `of the hose 42 from suction conduit 21. Such means may beidentical to the suction tube guide 75 heretofore described (FIGURES 3,4, 6, 7 and 8) but is shown in modified form in FIGURES 9 and wherein itwill be observed that a substantially horizontal roller 140 is journaledin vertically slotted bearings 141 adjacent opposed side walls 36', 37of outlet box 26.

Bearings 141 have respective compression springs 142 therein whichnormally urge roller 140 upwardly and which springs are of such strengthas to normally maintain roller 140 in its upward position shown inFIGURE 10 whenever suction hose 42 is resting thereupon under its ownweight and an outward pulling force is not being applied thereto by theoperator. When an outward pulling force is applied to suction hose 42 byan operator, roller 140 is moved downwardly in lopposition to springs142 to engage and close a normally open switch 145 which may function inthe same manner as the switches 107 of FIGURES 6, 7 and 8 for permittingoutside air to enter the suction tank, as described with reference tothe lower right-hand portion of FIGURE 6.

Switch 145 may be conveniently positioned between the legs of thesubstantially U-shaped latch member 132 and suitably secured to thebottom wall 35 of outlet box 26.

The side walls 36', 37 of outlet box 26 may also have suitable uprightrollers 147, 148 journaled thereon to assist in guiding the suction hose42 when it is being manually withdrawn from the suction conduit 21 at anacute angle with respect to the face of the wall 30 to which iianges 40of outlet box 26 are secured. Of course, the rolls 146, 147, 148 alsocooperate in guiding suction hose 42 during its retraction into suctionconduit 21', which retraction may be effected in the same manner as thatin which it is effected with respect to the suction hose 42 asheretofore described.

It should be noted that, in both forms of the invention, when thesuction tube is being retracted into the corresponding suction conduit,the hose is moving away from the corresponding bottom roller 92 or144)', as the case may be, so the tube will not cause the correspondingswitches 77 or switch 145 to stop or reduce the effectiveness of thesuction in the suction conduit 21 during retraction of the suction hose42. e

In the drawings and specification there have been set forth preferredembodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed,they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not forpurposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in theclaims.

I claim:

1. A method of cleaning utilizing a suction cleaner having a conduitcommunicatively connected to a suction source and an elongate pliablehose positioned for longitudinal movement within the conduit and alsocommunieating with the suction source, said method comprising the stepsof withdrawing any desired length of the hose from the conduit forreaching any area to be cleaned,

conducting a suction current through the conduit and hose, applying asuction current through the medium of the hose to the area to becleaned, and upon completion of cleaning, effecting retraction of thewithdrawn length of hose into the conduit under the impetus of the forceof the suction from said source by restricting the owof the suctioncurrent lfrom the hose into the conduit.

2. A method of cleaning surfaces utilizing a suction cleaning systemhaving a fixed suction conduit with one of its ends communicating with asource of suction, and having a mouth at its other end, and an elongateiiexible suction hose extending longitudinally and sealingly within theconduit and being open at both ends, said method comprising the steps ofwithdrawing a variable desired length of said hose from the conduitthrough its mouth, utilizing the outer end of the Withdrawn hose forperforming a cleaning function as fluid is sucked into the hose, andupon completion of cleaning retracting the hose into the conduit byrestricting the fiow of fluid through said hose to a sufficient extentto so increase the effective pulling force exerted on the hose by thesource of suction such as to pull the hose into the conduit.

3. A method of cleaning utilizing an elongate conduit having an openmouth at one end and fluid flow inducing means at its other endeffecting flow of iiuid toward the iiow inducing means, and an elongatepliable hose telescopieally mounted in said conduit and in substantiallysealing engagement with said conduit so said Huid flow tends to pull thehose into the conduit, said method cornprising withdrawing a variablesubstantial lengthof the hose from the conduit through its mouth,frictionally restraining the hose from being retracted into the conduitwhile said length is withdrawn,

applying a suction current through the medium of the hose to the area tobe cleaned, and upon completion of cleaning,

retracting the hose into the conduit by increasing the effective pullingforce exerted on the hose by the fluid flow inducing means sufficientlyto overcome the force frictionally restraining retraction of the hoseand thereby pulling the hose into the conduit.

4. In a cleaning system utilizing an elongate conduit having an openmouth at one end and fluid flow inducing means at its other endeffecting iiow of fiuid toward the ow inducing means, an elongatefiexible hose telescopically mounted in said conduit, and sealing meanson and movable with said hose in substantially sealing engagement withsaid conduit so said fiuid fiow tends to pull the hose into the conduit,a method of controlling the hose which comprises withdrawing a variabledesired length of the hose from the conduit through its mouth,

frictionally locking the sealing means in engagement with said conduitwhile said hose is withdrawn and being used for cleaning, and thereafterupon completion of cleaning, retracting the hose into the conduit byincreasing the effective pulling force exerted on the sealing means bythe fiuid fiow inducing means sufficiently to overcome the forcefrictionally locking the sealing means in engagement with said conduitand thereby pulling the hose into the conduit.

5. A method of cleaning utilizing an elongate conduit having an openmouth at one end and fiuid liow inducing means at its other endeffecting fiow of iiuid toward the flow inducing means, and an elongateflexible hose telescopically mounted in and in substantially sealingengagement with said conduit so said iiuid fiow tends normally to pullthe hose into the conduit, said method comprising withdrawing a variablesubstantial length of the hose from the conduit through its mouth Whilereducing the effective pulling force exerted on said hose by the fiuidiiow inducing means, thereafter restoring to normal the pulling forceexerted on the hose by the fluid flow inducing means while applying asuction current through the medium of the hose to an area to be cleaned,and upon completion of cleaning,

retracting the hose into the conduit by increasing the effective pullingforce exerted on the hose by the fluid flow inducing means substantiallyabove said normal pulling force such as to effectively pull the hoseinto the conduit.

6. A method of cleaning utilizing a suction cleaner having a stationaryconduit cornmunicatively connected to a suction source and an elongatepliable hose positioned for longitudinal movement within the conduit andalso communicating with the suction source, said method comprising thesteps of applying an outward pulling force to and withdrawing a variabledesired length of the hose from the conduit for reaching any area to becleaned while substantially reducing the effectiveness of the force ofthe suction current from said source acting on the hose in response tothe outward pulling force, automatically restoring to normal theeffectiveness of the force of the suction current from said source upontermination of application of said outward pulling force whileconducting the suction current from the source through the conduit andhose, applying the suction current through the medium of the hose to thearea to be cleaned, and upon completion of cleaning, retracting theAhose into the conduit by utilizing the suction current from said sourceto pull the withdrawn length of hose into the conduit.

7. A suction cleaning system comprising a conduit communicativelyconnected to a suction source, an elongate pliable hose positioned forlongitudinal movement within the conduit and also communicating with thesuction source and arranged to have a variable desired length withdrawnfrom the conduit for extending to the area to be cleaned, and means toeffect retraction of the withdrawn length of hose into the conduit underthe impetus of the force of the suction from said source, said meansincluding means adjacent the extended end of the hose for interruptedlyrestricting the flow of fluid from the hose into the conduit.

8. In a suction cleaning system; the combination of an elongate suctionconduit having an open mouth at one end and having its other endconnected to a source of suction, an elongate flexible suction hose openat both ends and positioned for longitudinal movement loosely within theconduit and arranged, to have a variable desired length withdrawn fromthe conduit for extending to the area to be cleaned, the inner end ofsaid hose providing a pressure area such that a relatively light backpulling force normally is exerted on said hose by the suction such thatan operator may easily withdraw said hose from said conduit, and meansto effect pulling retraction of the withdrawn length of hose into saidconduit under the impetus of the force of the suction from said sourcecomprising means adjacent the extended end of the hose for reducing theair flow through said hose into said conduit.

9. In a suction cleaning system including an elongate suction conduithaving an open mouth at one end and having its other end connected to asource of suction; the combination therewith of an elongate flexiblesuction hose open at both ends and positioned for longitudinal movementloosely Within the conduit and arranged to have a variable desiredlength withdrawn from the conduit for extending to the area to becleaned,

sealing means movable with said hose in substantially sealing engagementwith said conduit and providing a pressure area such that a relativelylight back pulling force normally is exerted on said hose by the suctionsuch that an operator may easily withdraw said hose from said conduit,and

means located adjacent the outer end of the hose for effectingretraction of the withdrawn length of hose under the impetus of theforce of the suction from the source comprising valve means for reducingthe flow of air through said hose to thereby increase the effectivenessof said suction in applying the back pulling force on said hose such asto pull said hose into said conduit.

16. A structure according to claim 9 including means operativelyassociated with said suction hose and being responsive to withdrawingmovement of said hose relative to said conduit for reducing the backpulling force normally exerted on said hose by the suction.

11. A structure according to claim 9 wherein said sealing meanscomprises a piston carried by the inner end of said hose.

12. A structure according to claim 11 wherein said piston comprises afirst annular member fixed with respect to said hose, a second annularmember axially of said first member, means normally yieldably urgingsaid second member against the inner end of said first member, one ofsaid members having at least one passageway therethrough which is closedwhen said second member is against said first member, and said firstmember being movable away from said second member due to frictionalengagement of the second member with said conduit whenever said hose isbeing withdrawn from said conduit to open said passageway to the passageof fluid therethrough.

13. A cleaning system comprising an elongate conduit having an openmouth at one end, fluid flow inducing means connected to the other endof the conduit for effecting flow of fluid therethrough toward the flowinducing means, a flexible suction hose telescopically mounted in and insubstantially sealing engagement with said conduit so said fluidy flowtends normally to pull the hose into the conduit, said hose beingarranged to be manually withdrawn from said conduit, and meansoperatively associated with said hose and responsive to and duringwithdrawal of a length of the hose from the conduit through its mouthfor reducing the effective pulling force exerted on said hose by thefluid flow inducing means and being operable to restore to normal thepulling force exerted on the hose by the fluid flow inducing means upontermination of withdrawal of the length of the hose from the conduitwhereby said flow inducing means then will be fully effective ineffecting flow of fluid into and through the hose and the conduit.

14. A cleaning system according to claim 13 wherein said means forreducing the effective pulling force exerted on said hose by the fluidflow inducing means comprises a normally closed valve operativelyassociated with said fluid flow inducing means for reducing the flow offluid effected in said conduit by the fluid flow inducing means whensaid valve is open, a member adjacent the open mouth of said conduitadapted to be engaged by said suction hose and being operativelyconnected to said valve, and said member adjacent the mouth of theconduit being responsive to the application of a predetermined forcethereagainst in excess of the normal pressure of engagement of the hosetherewith, as effected by pulling the hose to withdraw the same relativeto the conduit, for opening said valve.

15. A cleaning system according to claim 13 wherein said meansoperatively associated with said hose for reducing the effective pullingforce exerted thereon comprises a first annular member fixed in axialrelationship to said hose and being of greater external diameter thansaid hose and having at least one passageway therethrough locatedadjacent the outer surface of said hose, a second annular member axiallyinwardly of said first member, means normally biasing said second memberagainst the inner end of said first member whereby said second membernormally closes said passageway, means limiting the extent of movementof said second member away from said rst member, said second memberbeing arranged to frictionally engage said conduit whenever said hoseand said first member are being withdrawn from said conduit whereby saidiirst member moves away from said second member and said passageway isopen to the passage of uid therethrough from the mouth of the conduit toreduce the effective pulling force exerted on said hose by the uid flowinducing means and, upon termination of withdrawal of the hose from theconduit with the annular member still Within the conduit, said biasingmeans will return said second member to a position against said rstmember.

16. A cleaning sys-tem comprising an elongate conduit having an openmouth at one end, iluid flow inducing means connected to the other endof the conduit for effecting flow of fluid therethrough toward the flowinducing means, a suction hose telescopically mounted in and insubstantially sealing engagement with said conduit so said uid flowtends normally to pull the hose into the conduit, said hose beingarranged to be manually withdrawn from said conduit, means operativelyassociated with said hose and responsive to and during withdrawal of alength of the hose from the conduit through its mouth for reducing theefective pulling force exerted on said hose by the fluid flow inducingmeans and being operable to restore to normal the pulling force exertedon the hose by the fluid flow inducing means upon termination ofwithdrawal of the length of the hose from the conduit whereby said flowinducing means then will be fully effective in effecting ow of fluidi-nto and through the hose and the conduit, and means for increasing theeffective pulling force exerted on the hose by the fluid iiow inducingmeans substantially above said normal pulling force such as toeffectively retract the hose into the conduit.

17. A cleaning system as claimed in claim 16 wherein said means forincreasing the effective pulling forceI exerted on the hose by the uidflow inducing means comprises manually operable means operativelyassociated with and located adjacent the outer end of said suction hosefor restricting the flow of fluid through said hose.

18. A cleaning system as claimed in claim 16 wherein said means forincreasing the effective pulling force exerted on the hose by the fluidflow inducing means comprises a manually operable valve member adjacentthe working end of said hose and being operable to restrict the ow offluid into said hose.

19. A cleaning system as claimed in claim 16 wherein said means forincreasing the pulling force exerted on the hose by the fluid flowinducing means comprises a hose section interposed in said suction hoseadjacent lits working end and being of a yieldable material relative tothe material of which the suction hose is formed and being capable ofbeing constricted manually to thereby restrict the ow of fluid into saidsuction hose.

20. A cleaning system for use in a building having a wall, said systemcomprising an outlet box opening to at least one side of the wall, anelongate conduit having a portion within said Wall and having an openmouth at one end communicating with said outlet box, a suction devicelocated a substantial distance from said outlet box and connected to theother end of said conduit, a flexible suction hose telescopicallymounted in said conduit whereby a suction current from said suctiondevice normally tends to pull the hose into the conduit, said hosehaving a working end adapted to be positioned within said outlet boxwhen said hose is fully positioned in said conduit, said hose beingarranged to be manually withdrawn from said conduit and through the openside of said outlet box, means operatively associated with said hose andresponsive to and during withdrawal of a length of the lhose from theconduit through its mouth for reducing the eiective pulling forceexerted on said hose by the suction device and being operable to restoreto normal the pulling force exerted on said hose by the suction deviceupon termination of withdrawal of said length of said hose from saidconduit whereby said suction device then will be fully effective ineffecting flow to fluid into and through said hose and said conduit.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,455,116 5/1923` Lumley 15--314X 2,953,806 9/196()` Walker 15-315 3,027,588 4/1962 Bierstock 15-301ROBERT W. MICHELL, Primary Examiner.

1. A METHOD OF CLEANING UTILIZING A SUCTION CLEANER HAVING A CONDUITCOMMUNICATIVELY CONNECTED TO A SUCTION SOURCE AND AN ELONGATE PLIABLEHOSE POSITIONED FOR LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT WITHIN THE CONDUIT AND ALSOCOMMUNICATING WITH THE SUCTION SOURCE, SAID METHOD COMPRISING THE STEPSOF WITHDRAWING ANY DESIRED LENGTH OF THE HOSE FROM THE CONDUIT FORREACHING ANY AREA TO BE CLEANED CONDUCTING A SUCTION CURRENT THROUGH THECONDUIT AND HOSE, APPLYING A SUCTION CURRENT THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF THEHOSE TO THE AREA TO BE CLEANED, AND UPON COMPLETION OF CLEANING,EFFECTING RETRACTION OF THE WITHDRAWING LENGTH OF HOSE INTO THE CONDUITUNDER THE IMPETUS OF THE FORCE OF THE SUCTION FROM SAID SOURCE BYRESTRICTING THE FLOW OF THE SUCTION CURRENT FROM THE HOSE INTO THECONDUIT.